I know there is a lot of love here for Kiwami (for good reason). Can anyone tell me the differences between the LD Spider suit and the Rio LD suit? There is a sale on the Rio right now for $199, which is a pretty significant difference to the $379 posted price for the Spider.
Thanks,
-Colin
The LD Spider suit is very aerodynamically designed, top of the line fabrics, textured arms, the sleeves are longer for better aerodynamics. The biggest difference is the LD Spider is a 1 1/2 suit vs the Rio which is a 1 piece. The top and bottom of the Spider are not joined in the middle. The Rio’s top and bottom is joined all around the suit.
I did the wind tunnel testing for the suits and can’t remember the difference between the two. I know the Spider was faster though.
I have the Rio and really like it.
Arms are a little tight getting on and off, but comfortable all day long.
For Ironman, I would go with the Spider.
The LD Spider suit is very aerodynamically designed, top of the line fabrics, textured arms, the sleeves are longer for better aerodynamics. The biggest difference is the LD Spider is a 1 1/2 suit vs the Rio which is a 1 piece. The top and bottom of the Spider are not joined in the middle. The Rio’s top and bottom is joined all around the suit.
I did the wind tunnel testing for the suits and can’t remember the difference between the two. I know the Spider was faster though.
Thanks.
I have to show my ignorance here. I have no idea what a 1.5 suit is.
The LD Spider suit is very aerodynamically designed, top of the line fabrics, textured arms, the sleeves are longer for better aerodynamics. The biggest difference is the LD Spider is a 1 1/2 suit vs the Rio which is a 1 piece. The top and bottom of the Spider are not joined in the middle. The Rio’s top and bottom is joined all around the suit.
I did the wind tunnel testing for the suits and can’t remember the difference between the two. I know the Spider was faster though.
Thanks.
I have to show my ignorance here. I have no idea what a 1.5 suit is.
The Rio has a 3/4 zip. Its one piece all the way around the waist.
The Spider has a full zip and the top and bottom are attached only at the back of the suit. Think of it as a full zip jersey seen to tri shorts only across the back panel of the jersey and shorts.
Shameless plug…
I have a medium LD Spider suit for sale in the Classifieds. Worn 2x. Like new.
The LD Spider suit is very aerodynamically designed, top of the line fabrics, textured arms, the sleeves are longer for better aerodynamics. The biggest difference is the LD Spider is a 1 1/2 suit vs the Rio which is a 1 piece. The top and bottom of the Spider are not joined in the middle. The Rio’s top and bottom is joined all around the suit.
I did the wind tunnel testing for the suits and can’t remember the difference between the two. I know the Spider was faster though.
Thanks.
I have to show my ignorance here. I have no idea what a 1.5 suit is.
He just means the top and bottom are kind of sewn together, but not at the front near waist, for free movement while swimming. LG M2, Coure suits do this as well.
Not entirely accurate. The Spider comes in two styles-- the aero (shortsleeve) and LD1 version (tank-top style like the Rio). The one referred to by Brian is the aero version. The aero version is two pieces sewn together. The LD1 version is a traditional one-piece trisuit.
Not entirely accurate. The Spider comes in two styles-- the aero (shortsleeve) and LD1 version (tank-top style like the Rio). The one referred to by Brian is the aero version. The aero version is two pieces sewn together. The LD1 version is a traditional one-piece trisuit.
Got it. I was referring to the aero version, didn’t realize there were two.
It sounds like you’ve gotten feedback on some of the differences. One major difference not mentioned is that the Spider is the only suit on the market IMO that has extra external compression. Besides some heat welded compression panels in the core, there is extra printed compression that you see as a web on the hamstring and quad areas. I am a very big fan of this, as especially when you fatigue it seems to give a lot more support for the legs. Also the material on the Spider is an even higher quality than the Rio. Both are amazing suits and as they are pretty hydrophobic, they stay really lightweight during the event so you aren’t hauling along pounds of water or sweat. It is the highest tech suit available IMO, and all Kiwami stuff wears like iron so the price is more than justified. I am using some suits that are 4 and 5 years old.
I know there is a lot of love here for Kiwami (for good reason). Can anyone tell me the differences between the LD Spider suit and the Rio LD suit? There is a sale on the Rio right now for $199, which is a pretty significant difference to the $379 posted price for the Spider.
Thanks,
-Colin
How is the sizing? Is the size chart accurate?
Size chart:
http://www.kiwamitri.com/Articles.asp?ID=250
It’s usually pretty accurate. If you have a question, they are awesome with helping pick the best model and size. Call and they can help or will even send out a fit kit. Customer service, as I’m sure you have read, is the best.
How is the sizing? Is the size chart accurate?
Size chart:
http://www.kiwamitri.com/Articles.asp?ID=250
How is the sizing? Is the size chart accurate?
Size chart:
http://www.kiwamitri.com/Articles.asp?ID=250
Already a lot of great info on here, so not going to rehash any of that. The “1.5” design that desertdude and Thomas mention is very nice. When I first receive the prototype of the suit I was really skeptical of the design as it was something new to the market, and I was unsure of it. Only took one race in it to realize how great it is. Don’t think I would go back to an actual 1 piece suit now after wearing it. I call it a “hybrid 1 piece”, if you look at the pictures online they do a good job of showing what it is like.
Sizing: I am 6’1" / 160-165 at race weigh and have always worn a Medium in all of their suits. Like Gary said, drop Kiwami an email or a phone call and they will help you out with sizing, contact at kiwamitri dot com.
Let me know if you have any other questions, have been racing in their kits since 2011.
Thanks for the great info. I’m sold on the Spider. Sizing is my only remaining question. I’m 5’10", 155-160 pounds (usually 157). Sizing chart clearly says M for me, but both you and THE GMAN wear M and have several inches and a few pounds on me. I’ll email they tomorrow to ask about that.
Thanks again, excited to rock this suit this year. I’ll also use the discount linked from your page, thanks for that.
I think you’ll love the Spider. I have a couple of versions and really have a hard time wearing anything else after using it. As I said before, the leg support is a great feature. I’m just shy of 6’ and run between 162 and 168 and feel good in a medium. At first try the chest seems a bit tight, but after 1 wearing it’s perfect. I’ve had a few races in each of mine and they are as new.
I’m 6ft and around 154-156. I wear a SM. Unlike some other companies the difference between the SM and the Med or Med vs Large isn’t as great.
Go with the smallest sit you can comfortably fit into. The arm material is super stretchy. You should be more concerned about torso length & girth for fit.
i have a medium LD spider for sale.